Paddle for operating in the foreheatrths of glass furnaces



Nov. 5, 1940. F. w. ARMYTAGE 2,220,635

PADDY-1E FOR OPERATING I THE FOREHEARTHS OF GLASS FURNACES Filed Nov. 26, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 'L I I I I I I I I5 I I NOV. 1940- F. w. ARMYTAG E 2220,635

PADDLE FOR OPERATING IN THE FOREHEARTHS 0F GLASS FURNACES File d Nov. 26, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet? Patented Nov. 5, 1940 PATENT OFFICE- PADDLE FOR OPERATING IN TEE roan nnaa'rns F GLASS FURNACES Frederick William Armytage, Knottingley,

England Application November 26, 1937, Serial No. 176,744 In Great Britain December 2, 1936 2 Claims. (Cl. 49-14) This invention relates to paddles for agitating or causing a flow of molten metal in the forehearths of glass furnaces, the chief object being to provide a new or improved paddle motion which can be varied to suit requirements.

According to the invention, the paddle has a compound continuously variable motion derived from two adjustable crank or eccentric mechanisms one of which controls the length of stroke of the paddle and the other of which controls the depth of entry of the paddle into the molten metal at each stroke. Thus, the arrangement may be such that the paddle motion may bevaried from a circular movement to an elliptical movement with the major axis in either a more or less horizontal or vertical plane, the ratio of the major and minor axes being variable according to the relative adjustments of the controlling crank or eccentric mechanisms. In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be more fully described with reference to and by the aid of the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are respectively a side elevation, rear elevation, plan, and a front elevation of the paddle gear, and Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan of the paddle and its mounting.

Referring to the drawings, the paddle blade i is carried from the forward end of a parallel link system 2 which is pivotally connected centrally at its opposite or forward and rear ends to the opposite ends of a supporting beam of lever 3. The parallel link system or link parallelogram comprises normally horizontal links interconnected at their forward and rear ends respectively by short links which are normally vertical, as shown, and which are pivotally mounted on the beam 3 by means of front and rear rock shafts 4, 5, respectively, so that the link parallelogram can be operated about these points of pivotal connection or mounting upon the beam or lever 3 to vary the angularity or deviation from the vertical of the forward and rear short links. In this connection the forward rock shaft 4 is revolubly mounted in the forward end bearings of the beam or lever 3 and is secured by a pin 6 to the forward short link of the parallelogram system 2 so as to partake of the angular motion imparted to said short link, and said rock shaft 4 5 extends laterally and carries upon its extended end the paddle blade I which is secured thereto tionary rear-bracket H on a bed plate l8.

formed with or has fixed thereto an operating arm 9 which is pivotally attached to the upper end of a connecting rod l0 having its lower end pivotally connected to a .nut ll working on a screw l2, which screw I2 is adapted to be oscillatedabout a fixed centre or pivot I3 by a connecting link, It and crank l4 from the driving shaft ii of the worm and worm wheel gear IS. The pivot I3 is on a hearing which rotatably receives areduced unthreaded portion of the screw l2, and a similar bearing on the opposite end of the screw has the upper end of link l4 pivoted thereto. Thus. as the screw I2 is oscillated a corresponding to and fro oscillation or stroke is imparted to the paddle I through the action of the parallel 1 link system 2, and the length or amplitude of the stroke can be varied by adjusting the position of the nut II along the screw I! by means of a hand wheel l2, whereby the screw l2 can be rotated. The fixed pivot I3 is carried .by a sta- 20 In order to provide for variation or adjustment of the depth of entry of the paddle I into the molten glass at each stroke, the supporting lever or beam 3 has its rear end or pivotal point 25 5 connected by a normally vertical link or radius arm l9 to the rear fixed bracket I7 and the centre point 20 of said lever or beam 3 is connected by normally horizontal and forwardly extending radius arms 2| to a forward fixed bracket 22. 30 whilst the centre of the beam 3 is also connected through a connecting rod 23 and nut 24 to an oscillating screw 25 which is mounted on the pivot I3 and continuously operated by a separate crank 26 and connecting link 21. Thus an upand-down motion is imparted to the outer end of the parallel link system 2 and the associated paddle I in addition to the stroke action, and said up-and-down motion can be controlled or regulated by adjustment of the nut 24 upon the screw 25 so that the depth m which the paddle i enters the glasscan be varied. Screw 25 is pivoted on the rear bracket in the same manner as screw I2 and is connected with its associated link 21 in the same manner as screw l2 with link I. 4

The connecting rods I0 and 23 are adjustable in length by means of coupling nuts ill and 23* respectively working on the oppositely threaded ends of the two parts comprising each of said rods, the arrangement being such that the position of the parallel link system with its paddle can be adjusted either horizontally or vertically or both without altering the stroke action.

The beam 3 and associated gear is counterbalanced by a weight 28 connected by a cable 23 a ll of said shafts, means for rocking the other of said shafts whereby said one of said shafts is likewise rocked through said link and said paddle is oscillated, and means for reciprocating at least that portion of the beam which supports said one of said shafts trans-axially of the latter so that the paddle is caused to travel in an orbital path during oscillation.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the beam is guided in'its reciprocating movements by a link whose longitudinal direction is generally that of the common axial plane of said shafts and which extends transversely of said shafts.

FREDERICK WILLIAM ARMYTAGE. 

